Note: Final picks on our picks page may differ from this article's predictions, as they incorporate last-minute goalie confirmations, injury updates, and live odds closer to game time. Always check the picks page for the most up-to-date selections.
NHL Predictions for March 14, 2026 - Free Picks & Best Bets
March 14 brings a massive 14-game slate across the NHL, featuring some intriguing matchups with clear separations in form and underlying metrics. The Dallas Stars continue their elite run while struggling teams like Toronto and Detroit look to avoid free fall. We've crunched the advanced analytics—Corsi, expected goals, and high-danger chance rates—to deliver today's free NHL picks across every game.
Anaheim Ducks @ Ottawa Senators
The Senators have established themselves as legitimate playoff contenders with a 6-2-2 record and exceptional puck possession metrics. Ottawa's 55.72 CF% and 59.58 xGF% represent dominant play that should carry over against Anaheim. The Ducks arrive with solid underlying numbers (50.94 CF%, 49.69 xGF%), but their recent form doesn't quite match Ottawa's trajectory.
Linus Ullmark gives Ottawa a goalie edge over Lukas Dostal, and with two days of rest compared to Anaheim's single day, the home team holds the advantage. WP Hockey Predictor's NHL predictions favor Ottawa at 56.6%, making the Senators the pick in this Eastern Conference affair.
Boston Bruins @ Washington Capitals
This matchup features two streaky squads with nearly identical shot metrics, but Boston's recent form edges out Washington's. The Bruins sit 4-3-3 with a 50.16 CF%, while the Capitals post 49.02 CF%. Both teams have won just two of their last five games, creating a true toss-up scenario.
Jeremy Swayman has been stellar for Boston and gives the visitors a slight goalie advantage over Linus Thompson in Washington. The near parity in underlying metrics combined with Swayman's play tips the scales Boston's direction. WP Hockey Predictor's free NHL picks slightly favor Boston at 52.7%, offering a close matchup with minimal margin.
Colorado Avalanche @ Winnipeg Jets
The Avalanche are running hot with an 8-2-0 record and league-leading 55.86 CF% paired with a strong 54.04 xGF%. They've won four of their last five games and appear to be hitting peak form at the right time. Winnipeg, meanwhile, sits at 4-3-3 despite respectable underlying numbers (52.84 CF%, 48.93 xGF%).
Mackenzie Blackwood's 18-7-1 record and elite performance give Colorado a major goalie edge over Connor Hellebuyck, whose 16-18-9 mark indicates inconsistency. WP Hockey Predictor's NHL predictions today favor Colorado at 54.2%, with the defending champions poised to extend their win streak in Winnipeg.
New York Rangers @ Minnesota Wild
The Wild have emerged as one of the league's steadiest teams with a 6-2-2 record, 49.3 CF%, and an impressive 53.46 xGF%—the latter indicating high-quality scoring chances. New York shows 46.32 CF% and 46.92 xGF%, suggesting Minnesota has created significantly better offensive opportunities this season.
Filipe Gustavsson's confirmed start for Minnesota is a major advantage, bringing a 24-10-6 record into the matchup. Igor Shesterkin remains elite, but the Wild's home-ice advantage and deeper bench play factor heavily. WP Hockey Predictor's free NHL picks support Minnesota at 55.1%, with the Wild's underlying metrics backing the forecast.
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo has emerged as an East Division powerhouse at 8-2-0, while Toronto continues to struggle at 2-6-2. The gap in possession metrics is stark: Buffalo operates at 50.72 CF% and 49.72 xGF%, while Toronto lags at 42.8 CF% and 42.98 xGF%. The Sabres have won four of their last five games versus Toronto's single win in that span.
Anchal Lyon's excellent 18-8-3 record for Buffalo outshines Joseph Woll's inconsistent play (14-11-4). The analytics and recent form overwhelmingly favor the home team. WP Hockey Predictor's NHL predictions strongly favor Buffalo at 59.3%, making this one of today's most confident picks.
San Jose Sharks @ Montreal Canadiens
Montreal enters this matchup as the higher-seed team with a 6-1-3 record, but surprisingly the Sharks present an interesting contrarian play. San Jose's 49.73 CF% and 47.12 xGF% align closely with Montreal's 46.48 CF% and 49.2 xGF%—nearly a coin flip in underlying metrics. The Canadiens carry two days of rest versus San Jose's single day.
Jake Dobes' confirmed presence in goal for Montreal (21-6-4) is significant, but Alex Nedeljkovic has performed admirably for San Jose (12-9-3). The advanced metrics suggest San Jose's slightly stronger possession play could surprise here. WP Hockey Predictor's free NHL picks favor San Jose at 54.8%, offering value on the road team.
Carolina Hurricanes @ Tampa Bay Lightning
Carolina brings legitimate elite scoring chances with a 60.46 CF% and 57.81 xGF%, currently on a three-game winning streak. Tampa Bay counters at 50.77 CF% and 48.38 xGF%—respectable but notably outmatched by the Hurricanes' dominance. The defensive metrics clearly favor Carolina across multiple indicators.
Andrei Vasilevskiy (30-11-3) provides Tampa veteran leadership, but Bayley Busse's stellar 25-5-1 record for Carolina is among the league's best. Carolina's possession superiority and goalie advantage should prove decisive. WP Hockey Predictor's NHL predictions today favor Carolina at 52.5%, with the Hurricanes' metrics justifying the pick.
Los Angeles Kings @ New Jersey Devils
The Kings arrive on the second night of a back-to-back, which creates fatigue concerns despite their 3-2 record in their last five. New Jersey (4-6-0) holds a clear possession advantage at 55.99 CF% and 57.59 xGF% compared to Los Angeles' 50.59 CF% and 54.61 xGF%. The back-to-back situation becomes the difference-maker here.
Jonathan Markstrom (19-16-1) offers solidity for New Jersey against Adrian Forsberg (11-9-5). The combination of New Jersey's superior underlying metrics and Los Angeles' travel fatigue suggests a Devils' edge. WP Hockey Predictor's free NHL picks favor New Jersey at 51.8%, factoring in the Kings' scheduling disadvantage.
Calgary Flames @ New York Islanders
The Islanders hold a 7-3-0 record but unexpectedly play the second night of a back-to-back, which could impact their output. Calgary (4-5-1) struggles with 45.66 CF% and 43.59 xGF%, while New York counters at 51.07 CF% and 46.69 xGF%. The Islanders' superior possession should dominate, even with fatigue considerations.
Daniil Tarasov's confirmed status for New York (13-9-3) provides stability in net against Calgary's Dan Wolf (19-24-3). Despite the back-to-back, New York's underlying advantage should carry them through. WP Hockey Predictor's NHL predictions favor the Islanders at 50.9%, in a close call driven by possession metrics.
Columbus Blue Jackets @ Philadelphia Flyers
Columbus brings a surprising 5-1-4 record with strong metrics: 49.92 CF% and 51.39 xGF% suggest a team outscoring its underlying play. Philadelphia (6-3-1) sits at 46.75 CF% and 44.17 xGF%, indicating the Blue Jackets hold a legitimate statistical advantage in their matchup.
Columbus' Joonas Korpisalo (20-12-8) has been exceptional, while Philadelphia's Dmitrij Vladar (21-11-6) offers competent play. The Blue Jackets' superior expected goals creation and hot streak tilt the balance. WP Hockey Predictor's free NHL picks favor Columbus at 51.1%, an underrated upset opportunity.
Detroit Red Wings @ Dallas Stars
Dallas remains unbeaten with a remarkable 9-0-1 record, posting a dominant 54.24 CF% and league-leading 60.35 xGF%. This offensive machine leaves Detroit's 47.89 CF% and 52.14 xGF% in the dust. The Stars have won four of their last five games while Detroit sits 4-5-1 with minimal momentum.
Jake Oettinger (27-10-5) stands as an MVP candidate, vastly outpacing Detroit's Jonas Gustavsson (24-15-2) in consistency and performance. WP Hockey Predictor's NHL predictions today strongly favor Dallas at 58.8%, with the Stars' elite scoring chances making this a confident selection.
Pittsburgh Penguins @ Utah Mammoth
Utah (5-3-2) holds a slight statistical edge with 52.01 CF% and 53.05 xGF% against Pittsburgh's 50.08 CF% and 51.16 xGF%. Both teams show nearly identical metrics, making this a battle of recent form rather than overall dominance. Pittsburgh sits 4-3-3 but has won just one of five games.
Karel Vejmelka's elite 30-17-3 record for Utah towers over Casey DeSmith's 19-13-8, providing a clear goalie advantage for the home team. WP Hockey Predictor's free NHL picks favor Utah at 56.9%, with the Mammoth's goalie advantage and slight possession edge providing the edge.
Seattle Kraken @ Vancouver Canucks
This Western Conference battle features two struggling teams, but Seattle's 52.6% edge in WP Hockey Predictor's NHL predictions suggests underlying value. The Kraken's 45.54 CF% trails Vancouver's 43.49 CF%, but Seattle's 48.96 xGF% significantly outpaces Vancouver's 40.45 xGF%—a major indicator of shot quality advantage.
Philipp Grubauer (11-8-3) has kept Seattle competitive, while Vancouver's Kaapo Lankinen (7-21-5) represents one of the league's worst goalie situations. WP Hockey Predictor's free NHL picks favor Seattle at 52.6%, banking on superior scoring chances despite the overall talent gap.
Chicago Blackhawks @ Vegas Golden Knights
Vegas (4-6-0) enters this matchup with a slight underlying advantage: 50.98 CF% and 49.72 x